The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-24
VOL. XXXvl. NO. II. sc

There was no lack oftalk and gossip in
the neighborhood when Michael Hare
wood left his brothers house and set up
housekeeping for himself in a little un-
occupied cabin just on the verge of the
woods, with the Hale children as pro-
toges and companions.
Michael Hardwood was an artist by
profession--one of those errsitic, irregular
geniuses who seldom make much
money, yet possess natures of genuine
gold He paid little attention to the buzz
Of the neighbors, the sar :asIns of his sis
ter-in-law, and the criticisms of the world
in general, but painted serenely on, dis
posing Of his pictures at ludierousiy low
prices as fast as they were laid off his
easel.
For il isn't as if could wait for
good chance, said he. They must sell
at any figure the little people can't
starve"
80 the three led a strange, eccentric life.
Little Becky swept and busted. Billy
brought water, weeded the onion beds
and made himself generally useful, and
Michael Harewood did all the rest When
there CHANGED TO be meat enough for
three he ate and was thankful. When
there was not he made meal off vege-
tables and told the children it was for his
health's sake.
Don't you love Uncle Michael, Becky"
said the little boy one night when Mi
chael had tucked them safely in bed and
heard their simple prayers.
Yes" said Becky, rearing up in her
little patchwork covered nest. And
when grow up | mean to marry him"
Michael Hardwood, smoking his pipe
under the window below, heard the lit
tie voices, and his heart grew soft within
him.
"God bless the little ones!" he mur-
INJURED "And God bless Kate wherever
she may bel"
kate was nearer than he thought
Have yer heard the news?r said the
widow Castleberry TO Mrs. Hardwood.
Kate Hale's come back.
Humph~ was Mrs. Harewood's COM
ment "A bad penny always returns.
Who does she suppose is going to run af-
ter her now ?"
4" "Ah but" said Widow Castleberry,
wagging her head, "You didn't hear me
through. She's widow, and she's rich
as Cr,esus"
"Nor said Mrs Hardwood. 1T amt
possible
But is is, though, said the widow.
Wears diamonds as big as dew-drops,
and a black silk dress as will stand alone |
for richness, and has her maid as genteel
as the Queen of the Cannibal Islands"
@Ah. dear, dear" said Mrs. Hardwood. |
Wonders will never cease. Them chill |
dren viii be brought up like prince and |
princess, now, suppose. ] most wish /
I'd taken them myself, as Michael want |
ed me 10 do"
For once the tongue of rumor was cor
rect Kate Hale, now Mrs. Alden Armit- !
age, had been, in very truth, left a veal |
thy widow, and she had returned to her /
native land 10 adopt her brothers or /
phaned children Kate had been pretty |
as girl-ss woman, set off by the ac-
cessions of wealth, she was royalty beau |
tiful Nor was she devoid of feeling. |
When she first came into the presence of 1
the artist whose magnanimity had saved l
her brothers children from the poor
house, she knelt down and kissed his
brown hands with tears.
Kate Kate" /" he cried, recoiling,
" What are you doing ?"
/ can't help il" sobbed Kate. Z" You
are so kind, so noble. What would my
poor little ones nave done but for you?
Aud when | remember how | treated
you"
We won't recall that, Kate said the
artist, quietly g But / have grown TO
love the little ones dearly | do not
wish to part with them, although | feel
that you have the best right to them"
He was standing with one hand on
Becky's golden head, The child glanced
eagerly from one to the other.
Couldn't Aunt Kate come and live
with us, Uncle Michael?" said she, with
d sudden Frightening up of every feature.
The eyes of the elders met-Michael's
sad and kindly-kate's full of sudder
tears.
All, my child" said the former, Il
asked her that question once. long
while ago--and she said, Nor
But if you were to ask me again, |
should answer you very differently, cried
out Kate.
And then she hid her burning face in
her hands.
shall never ask it again said Mi
chael Harewood, gravely.
"Then | will, said Mrs. Arnitage, go
ing up to him and putting her hands in
his Dear Michael, have learned now
the priceless value OF what once reject
ed-your true, noble heart. | love you
will you repulse me now ??
q was going to marry Uncle Michael
myself, said Becky, thoughtfully. But
maybe its best that Aunt Kate should
have him after all
g / think so, said Billy